Our scientific world (the Powerade lawsuit)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a lawsuit filed by Coca-Cola against Pepsi regarding advertising claims made about their respective sports drinks, Powerade and Gatorade. Participants explore the implications of the lawsuit, personal experiences with the drinks, and the effectiveness of sports drinks in various physical activities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Personal experience sharing
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the lawsuit's claim that Coca-Cola cannot substantiate the superiority of Powerade Option over Gatorade based on calorie content.
  • Others express skepticism about the effectiveness of Gatorade and Powerade, sharing personal anecdotes of preferring homemade sports drinks for better hydration and taste.
  • A participant mentions that the National Advertising Division previously ruled that Coca-Cola could only compare Powerade to Gatorade with specific disclosures about energy replacement benefits.
  • Some participants discuss the potential negative effects of consuming sports drinks before endurance activities, suggesting that they may cause cramps.
  • There are differing opinions on the sweetness of Gatorade, with some finding it overly sweet and others having had positive experiences with it during physical exertion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the effectiveness and taste of Gatorade and Powerade, with no clear consensus on which drink is superior or more beneficial for athletic performance. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the claims made in the lawsuit and the broader implications for sports drink consumption.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and anecdotal evidence regarding hydration and energy needs during physical activities, which may vary widely among individuals. There is also mention of previous rulings related to advertising claims that may influence the current lawsuit.

rachmaninoff2
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Coca-cola TM (maker of Gatorade TM) has filed a lawsuit against Pepsi TM (maker of Powerade TM) in a federal court:

A new television ad for Coke's Powerade Option sports drink features a "drag race" between two farmers in Amish dress, riding horse-drawn carts loaded with hay bales — one with ten bales and one with 50. The ad shows the cart with fewer bales easily cruising to victory, and touts that Powerade Option has 10 calories per 8-ounce serving compared to Gatorade's 50 calories.

"In other words, Coca-Cola is telling consumers that Powerade Option's fewer calories literally make you go faster. However, Coca-Cola cannot possibly substantiate this overall superiority claim," the suit says.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060321/ap_on_bi_ge/pepsi_coke_lawsuit

:smile:
 
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You have them mixed up, coka -cola makes powerade, pepsi makes gatorade...

rahmaninoff2? hmmm...
 
Yeah, what's with the 2? What have you done with rachmaninoff?
 
The other rachmaninoff locked himself out of his account by mistake.
 
Gatorate, Powerade, same difference. It's all wet.
 
rachmaninoff2 said:
The other rachmaninoff locked himself out of his account by mistake.
Want to be fixed?
 
Evo said:
Want to be fixed?
I'm sure he'd like you to fix him up, Evo! :!)
 
Evo said:
Want to be fixed?
:smile: He's too young to be 'fixed'! :smile: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: o:)
 
rachmaninoff2 said:
Coca-cola TM (maker of Gatorade TM) has filed a lawsuit against Pepsi TM (maker of Powerade TM) in a federal court:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060321/ap_on_bi_ge/pepsi_coke_lawsuit
According to Yahoo,
Pepsi is taking on Coke in federal court, but this time it's a power struggle rather than a cola war. PepsiCo Inc.'s Gatorade beverage business filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court against Coca-Cola Co.'s Powerade unit to stop an ad campaign that it claims is false and deceptive.
I'll vouch for Gatorade! I drink it a lot in the summer, and I have since high school when I played soccer. At half-time, I could finish 24 oz of Gatorade in a few seconds. And after the game, I'd swallow a second 24 oz bottle. It worked!

When I worked construction in 110°F+ weather (and slightly higher on and iron/steel roof in direct sunlight) I would easily sweat 2-3 kgs of water a day. Gatorade kept me going.

As for the lower calories - bah! If anyone, one needs more calories. Playing soccer, riding a bicycle, or doing construction, I'd burn several 1000 cal/day. The last thing I need is a drink with 10 cal/ 8 oz. :rolleyes:
 
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  • #10
Gatorade's lawsuit says that the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau last year decided that Coca-Cola could compare Powerade Option to Gatorade only if it discloses that "consumers will not receive the energy replacement benefits provided by Gatorade."
It seems there was already a decision in regards to such comparisons previously.
 
  • #11
"The Gloved One" leaves for parts unknown, and Pepsi's legal department is facing budget cuts if they don't sue someone.
 
  • #12
Bystander said:
"The Gloved One" leaves for parts unknown, and Pepsi's legal department is facing budget cuts if they don't sue someone.
:confused: Are you talking about Micheal Jackson?
 
  • #13
Among other "Pepsi Generation" spokes"whats."
 
  • #14
Try going on a six-day, 600 mile bicycle ride... in the middle of summertime. By the middle of the third day, the smell of Gatorade alone (particularly the nauseating "Fierce" varities) is literally enough to make you want to vomit on the spot.

For long (50+ mile) bike rides, I generally make my own "sports drink" with nothing more than:

A quart of water
A pinch of salt
A pinch of "lite" salt (which is mostly KCl)
A little lemon juice and sugar to taste

Way more palatable and refreshing than Gatorade, and essentially free.

Even the US military advises that if you're going to drink Gatorade, drink it diluted half-and-half with plain water.

- Warren
 
  • #15
chroot said:
Try going on a six-day, 600 mile bicycle ride... in the middle of summertime. By the middle of the third day, the smell of Gatorade alone (particularly the nauseating "Fierce" varities) is literally enough to make you want to vomit on the spot.

For long (50+ mile) bike rides, I generally make my own "sports drink" with nothing more than:

A quart of water
A pinch of salt
A pinch of "lite" salt (which is mostly KCl)
A little lemon juice and sugar to taste

Way more palatable and refreshing than Gatorade, and essentially free.

Even the US military advises that if you're going to drink Gatorade, drink it diluted half-and-half with plain water.

- Warren

No way!

When I used to workout, I was a big Gatorade user. Only before and after workouts. I bought the powdered Gatorade that contained Dextrose.

Dextrose was found to enter your bloodstream much faster than other sugars, which leads you to getting energy much quicker than anything else.

With my experience using powdered Gatorade, I noticed that I performed best when I drink the Gatorade when working out.
 
  • #16
A new television ad for Coke's Powerade Option sports drink features a "drag race" between two farmers in Amish dress, riding horse-drawn carts loaded with hay bales — one with ten bales and one with 50. The ad shows the cart with fewer bales easily cruising to victory, and touts that Powerade Option has 10 calories per 8-ounce serving compared to Gatorade's 50 calories.

"In other words, Coca-Cola is telling consumers that Powerade Option's fewer calories literally make you go faster. However, Coca-Cola cannot possibly substantiate this overall superiority claim," the suit says.
Wait just a minute what of Amish people can run faster with powerrade then would with gatarade
 
  • #17
arnlido2, rachmaninoff2, Evo2?? I hope I don't ever get to be Mk2.
 
  • #18
When I was running Cross Country I was always told to never drink Powerade or Gatorade before a race. Its only good for replacing electrolites (sp), but it gives you cramps otherwise.
 
  • #19
scott_alexsk said:
When I was running Cross Country I was always told to never drink Powerade or Gatorade before a race. Its only good for replacing electrolites (sp), but it gives you cramps otherwise.

That wouldn't be a good idea for cross country. It's enduranced based.

Complex carbs are what you want the day before. I think that's what most racers focus on.
 
  • #20
chroot said:
Try going on a six-day, 600 mile bicycle ride... in the middle of summertime. By the middle of the third day, the smell of Gatorade alone (particularly the nauseating "Fierce" varities) is literally enough to make you want to vomit on the spot.

For long (50+ mile) bike rides, I generally make my own "sports drink" with nothing more than:

A quart of water
A pinch of salt
A pinch of "lite" salt (which is mostly KCl)
A little lemon juice and sugar to taste

Way more palatable and refreshing than Gatorade, and essentially free.

Even the US military advises that if you're going to drink Gatorade, drink it diluted half-and-half with plain water.

- Warren
I agree completely with that one. When I am skating or working out, if I take a sip of Gatorade, it tastes like hummingbird food. It's way too sweet. I'm going to have to try your receipe. Although I have never heard of "lite" salt.
 
  • #21
FredGarvin said:
I agree completely with that one. When I am skating or working out, if I take a sip of Gatorade, it tastes like hummingbird food. It's way too sweet. I'm going to have to try your receipe. Although I have never heard of "lite" salt.

'lite' means reduced sodium, using KCl as filler.